Page 25 - Living light - The Psalms

Wednesday June 26 - Only God removes sins
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
Yesterday we spoke of the incredible depth of God’s love by focusing on the vastness between the heavens and the earth (vertical direction). In today’s verse we focus on God’s love as being ‘as far as the east is from the west’ (horizontal direction). In other words, his love is so great that there is no end, at all, ever! It continues on and on. We see that God loves us so much that he removes our sins, wrongdoings and offences far from us. This shows the extent not just of God’s love, but also his mercy.
The evidence of God’s great mercy is that he sent his only Son, Yeshua (Jesus), to die as a means of paying the price for our wrongdoings and intentional sin. Yeshua (which in Hebrew means ‘salvation’) died on the cross whilst we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), in order to take away our sin (1 John 2:1-2). What a powerful sacrifice!
With this image in mind, can you quietly open up your heart and lay your burdens and sins down (trying not to pick them up again later)? Picture Yeshua taking them from you gently and lovingly, encouraging you to embrace the freedom he brings through your act of surrender. If you have access to the internet, listen to the song: ‘All to Jesus I surrender’ sung by Robin Mark.
Adonai (my Lord), I am so sorry for the times I’ve done wrong in any way. I pray for your forgiveness. Amen.
Thurs June 27 - Kindheartedness beyond compassion As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on
those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed... Psalm 103:13-14
When we suffer physically, emotionally, financially or relationally, as a result of our sins, our tendency is to wonder whether God will help us. It’s good to remind ourselves that he knows our fragility (‘we are but dust’ – Genesis 2:7) and understands our weaknesses, for he made us. It is important to be assured that God has kindness towards all who repent and turn to him in humility.
From start to finish, the Bible reveals that God’s heart is moved by human suffering. In the Old Testament the first characteristic that God ascribes to himself is compassion (Exodus 34:6). We first see this demonstrated with Adam and Eve, when they disobeyed God and became aware of their nakedness and guilt. Despite his judgment, he showed them mercy in clothing them.
Another example is when Cain killed his brother Abel and God drove him away. He was a fugitive, and worried that whoever found him would kill him. The Lord responded, “...anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no-one who found him would kill him (Genesis 4:15). What an incredible act of compassion, to protect a murderer from violence.
In all circumstances, hold on to God’s compassion: ‘Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones’ (Isaiah 49:13).
You are such a gracious God who understands my weaknesses and stretches out your arm of forgiveness when I repent. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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